Thrust-collar equalization



Nov. 16 1926.

D. c. DAVIS THRUS'I COLLAR EQUALIZATION Filed Oct. 6. 1922 INVENTOR WlT ESSES: Y W) Patented N6V.'l6,1926. I p l l 7,39%

lllill'l'E STATES PATENT 'FFEE.

DAVID C. DAVIS, OF CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELEC- TRIO AND IvIANUFACTUEING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

THBUS T -COLLAR EQUALIZATIONZ.

Application filed Gctober 6, 1922. Serial No. 592,882.

My invention relates to thrust equaliZing the cam 16 is more clearly indicated at 18 or distributing means for thrust bearings While, for clearness, I have not shown all of the multiple-collar type and it has for its the pivot supports, it should be understood object to provide apparatus of the character that they are sufliciently rugged and suffidesignated which shall be simple, compact, ciently attached to adjacent rigid structure inexpensive and highly effective .to perfor as to assume all the thrust load. the desired function. As shown, the cams 13, 14 and are The single figure of the accompanying provided with arms 19, and 21 extenddrawing is a side view, partially in section, ing from the side of minimum eccentricity, of a device constructed in accordance with whereas the cams l6 and 17 are provided V my invention. with attachment lugs opposite their points In the operation of large thrust bearings, of maximum eccentricity as indicated at 22 as are commonly employed, for example, on on the cam 17. A linkage joins the lug 22 the propeller shafts of ships, it is found with the end of the arm 20 and comprises difficult or impossible to impose the entire members 23 and 24 joined by a turnbuckle thrust upon a single thrust collar and acor other adjusting device 25. cordingly, means have been proposed for From the foregoing description the op distributing this thrust among a plurality eration of this device will be obvious to of thrust-receiving collars. Apparatus of I those skilled in the art: Assuming the thrust this character has been open to the objec on the collar 9 exceeds that on the collar tion that it has hitherto been found eX- 10, the cam 14 is rotated slightly in one ditremely diflicult to properly divide the load rection so as to shorten the moment arm of among the respective collars, elaborate systhe force applied thereto with respect to the tem of equalizing levers having been propivot. This action produces tension in the posed but not proving successful in all cases. linkage 2325'2 l and so rotates the cam 50 In accordance with the present invention 17 in an opposite direction as to slightly in I provide, for example, two substantially crease the radius of the applied force, so as fixed thrust-receiving collars and the thrusts to tend to move the collar 10 slightly toward assumed thereby are carried by cams so disthe left, causing it to assume a greater share posed that said cams tend to rotate. Ithen of the total thrust. Similarly, the reverse interconnect a cam of one collar with a cam action takes place if the thrust on the collar of the other collar in such a manner that 10 exceeds that on the collar 9. said rotative tendencies are caused to op- While, in many cases it is preferable to pose each other, and by this means, I am employ but three sets of cams,'as illustrated, enabled to automatically adjust the respecbecause of their action in suitably distributtive thrust loads in any desired manner. ing the equalizing work in accordance with Referring to the drawing for a more dethe well-known principle of the three point tailed understanding of my invention, I suspension, nevertheless I may, if desired, show a shaft at 55 having a thrust in the employ any desired greater number of cam direction indicated by an arrow 6. Suitsets. able flanges 7 and 8 are carried by the By the adjustment of the turn-buckle 25,

shaft 5 and substantially fixed thrustreceivthe effective moment arm at the point of ing collars 9 and 10 are suitably positioned equilibrium may be adjusted so that the thereagainst to receive thrust therefrom. equalizing force in the linkage 232425 I have shown tilting blocks of the wellmay be adjusted in magnitude. known Kingsbury type at 11 and 12 for While I have shown my invention in but transmitting the thrust to the fixed collars one form, it will be obvious to those skilled but this is not an essential detail of my inin the art that it is not so limited, but is vention. susceptible of various other changes and Suitable earns 13, 14: and 15 are positioned modifications, without departing from the behind the collar 9 and each of these cams spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that has a fixed pivot as indicated, for finally only such limitations shall be placed there assuming the thrust load. Similarly, the upon as are imposed by the prior art or as collar 10 rests against cams 16 and 17 and are specifically set forth in the appended one not shown and the pivotal support of claims.

What I claim is 1. In a multiple-collar thrust bearing, the combination with a pair of substantially fixed thrust-receiving collars, of agroup of cams behind one collar and bearing thereagainst, said cams being so pivoted that the action of thrust thereagainst tends to cause rotation thereof in one direction as viewed from the longitudinal axis of the bearing, a group of cams behind the other collar and bearing thereagainst, said cams being so pivoted that the action of thrust thereagainst tends to cause rotation thereof in an opposite direction as viewed from the lon gitudinal axis of said bearing, and a link-- age from each cam of one group to an associated cam of the other group, respectively, whereby the torque of each 021111 is balanced against th tor ue at n ass ciated cam and the tor u s assumed by said c llars are equa e 2. In a multiple 'collar thrust be ring, the

combination With a pair of substantially fixed thrust-receiving collars of a group of cams behind one collar and bearing thereagainst, said cams being so pivoted that the action of thrust thereagainst tends to cause rotation thereof in one direction, a group of cams behind the other collar and bearing thereagainst, said cams being so pivoted that the action of thrust thereagainst tends to cause rotation thereof in an opposite direction, a linkage from each ca n oi one group to an associated cam of the other group, respectively, and means for adjusting the lengths of said linkages whereby the torque of each cam is balanced against the torque of an associated cam and the torques assumed by said collars are equalized.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto s bscr my am th s 2 d y o p 1922.

DAV D C. "Davis. 

